We visited the San Jose Gurudwara today to celebrate Baisakhi, the founding of the Sikh Khalsa, or brotherhood.
Our director wields his DLSR
The palatial San Jose Gurudwara
The character for God
The Khalsa
The Kirpan, a ceremonial dagger that represents a willingness to defend the defenseless
The ritual cleaning of the flag begins with milk and yogurt.
The ritual cleaning of the flagpost continues with water.
The backdrop of San Jose
A parade bears the Holy Book. The street before it is swept and sprinkled with holy water.
The San Jose hills
To commemorate Baisakhi, the Sikhs lower their flag for a ceremonial cleaning with milk and yogurt. You can hear the chant “Waheguru” praising God, and the victory shout “Bole so nihal! Sat sri akaal!” as they return the flag.